Houston boy has foot severed by Union-Pacific train

By Heather Alexander :
June 28, 2014
: Updated: June 28, 2014 12:41pm

A boy had his foot severed by a Union-Pacific train in downtown Houston Friday night, with initial reports suggesting he was trying to jump on board to hitch a ride home.

The train company reported a call from the Harris County Sheriff's Office about 8.30 p.m. Friday informing them someone had been injured.

Investigators are looking into claims that the boy tried to jump onto the moving train just north of Runnels, but slipped and fell.

According to Union-Pacific, the driver of the train was unaware of what had happened until deputies called in the accident to the emergency phone line.

Harris County Sherrif's deputies were unavailable for comment Saturday and no information regarding the boy's identity has been released. A statement from the train company confirmed the injuries.

The company said an investigation was underway and few details had been confirmed, but it seemed the boy had been with a group of friends who alerted authorites.

"It did not occur at a grade crossing. Train traffic was stopped to assist first responders at the scene. Our thoughts are with injured boy, his family and others affected by this accident," spokesperson, Elizabeth Hutchison said via email.

The freight train was headed from Arkansas to Bloomington, Texas. Operations resumed on the rail line around 12:30 a.m.

Union-Pacific emphasized the need to stay clear of railroad tracks.

"Today, trains are quieter than ever, and approaching trains are often closer, and moving faster, than one might think," Hutchison said.